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AfloatDigi 2018 CHMarine SafetySection

Search & Rescue, Water Safety - News from the Marine Safety Agencies
ESB Retiree Donates Gift Money to Bundoran RNLI
#RNLI - After 43 years working with the ESB, a Co Donegal man has donated €700 – money in lieu of retirement presents – to Bundoran RNLI. Ballyshannon’s Brendan 'Mannix' Gallagher held his retirement party last Friday 30 November at…
MLA Dallat Welcomes Malin Head Reprieve
#Coastguard - East Londonderry MLA John Dallat has welcomed the news that the Irish Coast Guard station at Malin Head will remain open. The SDLP politician had previously sought the support of Northern Ireland's Minister of State Mike Penning to…
TV3 Christmas Special to Feature 'Unsung Heroes' of Arklow RNLI
#RNLI - Volunteers from Arklow RNLI in Co Wicklow are to feature in a Christmas special to be broadcast on TV3. The documentary, Unsung Heroes, will highlight the efforts of those who provide the essential rescue service throughout the year,…
Donaghdee RNLI Comes To Aid of Drifting Fishing Boat
#RNLI - Donaghadee RNLI has assisted two people whose boat got into difficulty off Co Down. The station’s volunteer lifeboat crew was out on a training exercise on Sunday morning when they were requested to go to the aid of…
Lough Swilly RNLI Rescues Crew From Stricken Fishing Boat
#RNLI - Lough Swilly RNLI rescued five people onboard a 50ft fishing boat yesterday evening (Sunday 2 December) after the vessel’s engine broke down in Co Donegal. During what was a nine-hour callout in tough weather conditions, Portrush RNLI also…
New Lifeboat Station for Castletownbere RNLI
#RNLI - The Southern Star reports that Castletownbere RNLI in West Cork has a found a permanent home with the construction of a new station and pontoon. Coxswain Brian O'Driscoll told the paper that the new station was "a long…
Crosshaven Lifeboat Rescues Skipper from Sinking Fishing Boat
#rnli – Last night at 8.40pm, as the Crosshaven RNLI lifeboat was returning from exercise, information was received from Valentia Coast Guard Radio of a distress flare sighted about 1 miles South of Gyleen. Further information received was of a…
Valentia and Malin Head Coastguard Stations Will Not Be Closed Says Minister
#COASTGUARD - BreakingNews.ie reports that the coastguard stations at Malin Head and Valentia will remain open, following a statement to the Dáil by the Minister for Transport this evening. Coastal communities in Donegal and Kerry had been protesting against plans…
Thirty-Six Lives Saved in Near-Drowning Rescues
#irishwatersafety – Twenty-six rescuers from twenty-two dramatic near-death incidents will receive recognition at Irish Water Safety's National Awards Ceremony at City Hall, Dublin on Tuesday 27th November 2012, from 3pm to 5pm. Thirty-six lives were saved through the brave actions…
Lucky Escape for Fishermen as Photos of Fishing Vessel Show Fire off Hook Head
#rnli –  The  lifeboat crew with Dunmore East RNLI responded to a callout yesterday to a vessel on fire four miles south of Hook Head in County Waterford. The fishing vessel Kingfisher, with two crew onboard, issued a Mayday after…
Two Rescued from Burning Trawler Off Waterford
#RESCUE - RTÉ News reports that two fishermen have been rescued from a burning trawler off the Waterford coast this morning. The two men abandoned ship to a liferaft when a fire started on board the herring boat Kingfisher some…
RNLI Seeks Responses in Sea Safety Advice Survey
#SAFETY AT SEA - How do you use weather forecasts to plan your leisure time on the water?  The RNLI asks all water users in the UK and Ireland to take a quick 10-minute survey by the UK's Met Office.…
Lack of Planning, Safety Gear Instrumental in Donegal Point Drowning - MCIB
#MCIB - The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has reiterated the importance of forward planning and safety before going on the water after the drowning of a man off Donegal Point in Co Clare on 5 November last year. The…
Bilge Alarms Recommended for Fishing Vessels - MCIB
#MCIB - Bilge alarms in compartments below the water line have been recommended for fishing vessels in the official report into the sinking of the FV Amy Jane off Donegal last year. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the six-man crew…
Overboard Recovery Systems Recommended After Achill Trawler Drowning
#MCIB - The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has recommended the use of man overboard recovery systems on board fishing vessels after the death of a crewman on the MFV Mark Amay II off Achill Island last year. Cathal McDaid…
RNLI Warns Over 'Bogus Santa' Collector
#RNLI - The RNLI has warned the public in Donegal to keep on the lookout after reports that a man in a Santa Claus outfit was falsely claiming to be collecting for the lifeboat charity at the weekend. A spokesperson…

Every Year Ireland's Search & Rescue Services deliver emergency life saving work on our seas, lakes and rivers.

Ireland's Water Safety Agencies work hard to provide us with the information we need to keep safe, while enjoying all manner of water based activities.

There's no better fun than getting out on the water but being afloat is a responsibility we all need to take seriously.

These pages detail the work of the rescue agencies. We also aim to promote safety standards among pleasure boaters, and by doing so, prevent, as far as possible, the loss of life at sea and on inland waters. If you have ideas for our pages we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected]

Think Before You Sink - Wear a Lifejacket

Accidents can happen fast on water and there may not be time to reach for a lifejacket in an emergency therefore don't just carry a lifejacket - wear it; if it's not on you, it can't save your life.

Irish Water Safety's Safe Boating Alert:

Check condition of boat and equipment, hull, engine, fuel, tools, torch.

Check the weather forecast for the area.

Check locally concerning dangerous currents and strong tides.

Do not drink alcohol while setting out or during your trip.

Carry an alternative means of propulsion e.g. sails and oars or motor and oars.

Carry a first aid kit on board and distress signals (at least two parachute distress rockets, two red hand flares).

Carry a fire extinguisher, a hand bailer or bucket with lanyard and an anchor with rope attached.

Carry marine radio or some means of communication with shore.

Do not overload the boat - this will make it unstable.

Do not set out unless accompanied by an experienced person.

Leave details of your planned trip with someone ashore - including departure and arrival times, description of boat, names of persons on board, etc.

Wear a Lifejacket at all times.

Keep an eye on the weather - seek shelter in good time.

In Marine Emergencies, call 999 or 112 and ask for Marine Rescue.

Lifejackets Checklist

Ensure Cartridges have not been punctured and are secured firmly.

Ensure all zips, buckles, fasteners and webbing straps are functioning correctly and adjusted to fit the user.

Check that fitted lights are operating correctly.

Ensure that Automatic Inflation devices are fully serviced and in date.

Check that the valve or lifejacket is not leaking.